Victim of the economy: Country Porch Creations to close

CHAMBERSBURG -- A gift shop near Chambersburg will be closing at the end of the month.

The owner of Country Porch Creations on Warm Spring Road cited the economy as the reason for closing.

"Business is just really slow the past several years. We had our peak around 2005, 2006, and I'd say about 2009 to now it's just really decreased," said Ginger Edmondson. "I'm not optimistic. I don't foresee that it's going to get any better. If people are spending money like the news reports say they are, I think the biggest stores are taking the business more than the little guy."

The gift shop adjoins the Carousel Ice Cream Shop, which is unaffected and will remain open.

The last day of business for the gift shop will be Dec. 30. Merchandise will begin being marked down on Monday, and some store fixtures will also be for sale.

Edmondson said after the gift shop closes, the plan is to renovate the space into an event room for CM Pig Out Catering.

"We should have a seating capacity of 75 to 100 people, and we'd be able to offer that room for events, weddings, corporate events, and whatever else," Edmondson said. "And we would be able to cater the events."

She hopes to have the renovations to the building complete by early spring.

The catering business has been around for the past eight years, while the ice cream side of the business has been around for the past 15 years.
Edmondson said the Carousel installed a griddle in the spring to offer sandwiches in hopes of boosting business.

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Marcus Rauhut can be reached at mrauhut@publicopinionnews.com and 262-4752, or follow him on Twitter @MarcusRauhutPO.